Science Education, M.A.T.

Return to: 4170 Department of Middle and Secondary Education  

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Science Education provides initial teacher certification for those holding bachelor’s degrees in engineering, science, or a related area.

Program Admission

All applicants must meet the College of Education and Human Development’s requirements for admission to graduate study. Additional admission requirements specific to this program include:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, a science field, or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university. A minimum of a major (24 upper-division semester hours) in a science area must be part of prior coursework.
• Two letters of recommendation as follows: (a) one academic or professional letter, (b) one letter from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s personal qualifications, experience, and background in light of potential to work successfully with adolescents, or (c) one letter from a current work supervisor (if applicable).
• Documentation of previous work experience (resume).

Undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Science with a major in Physics can apply to the M.A.T. in Science Education if they meet the following requirements.

• Students must participate in pre-advising sessions with faculty in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
• Students must have completed at least 30 hours of academic credit (including MATH 2211 and PHYS 2211K).
• Students must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3.
• Students may apply to the option at any time after completing 30 hours but prior to completing 90 hours of undergraduate coursework.
  • Complete the B.S./M.A.T. application form. This will be kept on file in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and in the Office of Academic Assistance in the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Documentation of previous work experience (resume or curriculum vitae).
  • Personal statement of goals and/or reasons for teaching.
• Formal acceptance into the M.A.T. portion of the program will be contingent upon the following:
  • Filing an application to the M.A.T. program by the appropriate deadline;
  • Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
  • Completion of 90 hours towards the B.S. degree in Physics (including PHYS 7460  and PHYS 7850 );
  • Submission of passing scores on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or demonstrate an exemption upon application to the program;
  • Complete the Georgia Educator Ethics - Program Entry (350) Assessment;
  • Submission of acceptable GRE scores;
  • Acceptance into the Teacher Education track is contingent upon acceptance into the M.A.T. portion, completion of 24 hours in physics, and passing or exempting the GACE Program Admission Assessment;
  • 2-3 letters of recommendation: (a) one academic or professional letter; (b) one letter from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s personal qualifications, experience, and background in light of potential to work successfully with adolescents; (c) one letter from a current work supervisor, if applicable.

Program Academic Regulations

Upon admission to a teacher education program, students will be contacted by the Office of Field Placements and Certification with instructions to claim enrollment in their program and submit a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate Application. The pre-service certificate is required for placement in required field experiences or clinical practice.

Exit requirements for this program are:

• Completion of all program coursework with a grade point average of no less than 3.00,
• Successful completion of the teaching internships with a grade of “B” or better, and
• Successful presentation of a professional portfolio.

Students in this program will be prepared to teach in broad field science or in one of the science specialties of biology, chemistry, earth/space science and physics in grades 6-12. The student’s advisory committee will approve the student’s planned program of study for either the broad field science preparation or preparation in one of the specialties of biology, chemistry, earth/space science and physics after a transcript analysis of previous work and consultation with the student.

Certification 

Students in this program will be eligible to be recommended for Georgia initial certification after earning passing scores on the GACE Program Admission Assessment, GACE Content Assessments, Georgia Educator Ethics - Program Exit (360) Assessment, and successfully completing:

• All content courses recommended for the students by MSE and Arts and Sciences faculty upon the students’ admission to the program;
• For Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) certification requirements, students must earn a grade of “B” or higher in EXC 4020.; 
• EXC 4020, EPY 7080, EDCI 6600, EDCI 4650, EDCI 7660, EDCI 7670, EDCI 7680, EDSC 6550; and
• Successful presentation of a professional portfolio.